OT for interest: Apple Watch

[RocketDawg]

Last Friday, I was playing golf and looked on my wrist to check the time. The glass cover (that's what Apple calls it; I call it the face) had popped loose and was hanging by a wire. I got an appt at the Apple Store, and the tech said they'd have to "send it off" to get fixed and it would cost about as much as a new one. Mines' a Gen 6, out of warranty, but I like it and the dark blue color (no longer available) than the new Gen 10s.

So - I came home, squirted some Gorilla Super Glue on some waxed paper, took a wood toothpick, and dabbed a little all around the edge, then took a small woodworking clamp (essentially a slightly stronger clothespin), let it sit overnight for good measure and to hopefully maintain the water/dust seal, and it's now working perfectly.

I checked on YouTube for the problem and some suggested that the battery was swelling and popping the top off. Apparently mine was just brittle adhesive from the factory. The battery charges and lasts as long as it ever did.

 

[HailStout]

Redneck engineering credentials verified

ETA: I probably wouldn’t put that thing in water now

 

[jethreauxdawg]

Oooh, look fellers, he’s got an Apple Watch.

j/k. Mighty convenient the repair cost was almost as much as a new one. Way to stick it to them.

 

[KentuckyDawg13]

My wife has an Apple watch that I bought her for some bs holiday, its a pos.
Battery lasts barely a day. Functionality is sporadic at best.
While my Garmin Instinct Solar 2 does not have Internet/phone/texting, it is solid. Battery is routinely a week, and I workout daily (w GPS).

 

[Felonious Junk]

My wife has an Apple watch that I bought her for some bs holiday, its a pos.
Battery lasts barely a day. Functionality is sporadic at best.
While my Garmin Instinct Solar 2 does not have Internet/phone/texting, it is solid. Battery is routinely a week, and I workout daily (w GPS).

You’re a green text guy aren’t you?

 

[dorndawg]

Attaboy. Screw these companies making **** they know won't last and simultaneously making it hard/impossible to fix.

 

[paindonthurt]

My wife has an Apple watch that I bought her for some bs holiday, its a pos.
Battery lasts barely a day. Functionality is sporadic at best.
While my Garmin Instinct Solar 2 does not have Internet/phone/texting, it is solid. Battery is routinely a week, and I workout daily (w GPS).

I have the apple watch and the only reason i don't switch is b/c i like the graphics. I'm about to get over that though.

I don't use watch for phone, internet or texting. Just use it for fitness purposes and time.

 

[HailStout]

I have an Apple Watch Ultra and it kicks all of the arse. I had a regular Apple Watch years ago and hated it. The ultra battery life is about 3 days.

 

[Death Rattle]

Apple Watch Ultra is the way to go

 

[bolddogge]

Redneck engineering credentials verified

ETA: I probably wouldn’t put that thing in water now

Just smear a little Lexel around the joint and it'll be good as new.
Just don't take it over 100ft deep.

 

[dog99walker]

Mine Apple Watch is an Ultra. Can your six do this?

 

[onewoof]

If you count up the money you have sent to cupertino over the last 10 years, it is most likely 75% more than you should have. Not that it matters...

Also of note, support ends this year on your Apple Watch Gen 6 in Sept 2025.

 

[RocketDawg]

Redneck engineering credentials verified

ETA: I probably wouldn’t put that thing in water now

If the digital crown (the rotary button on the side) stops working and won't show the apps, they say to hold it under warm running water for about 20 seconds while turning the crown. I had to do that once, and it works. I don't think I'd expect it to work now, but it'd be worth a try since the alternative is to buy a new one (or some other brand) and it's not supposed to be working now anyway.

 

[RocketDawg]

My wife has an Apple watch that I bought her for some bs holiday, its a pos.
Battery lasts barely a day. Functionality is sporadic at best.
While my Garmin Instinct Solar 2 does not have Internet/phone/texting, it is solid. Battery is routinely a week, and I workout daily (w GPS).

True, the battery charge life isn't great. You get used to doing it though. I had a Fitbit before that I used for several years, but it finally stopped charging at all. But it could go a week between charges.

 

[RocketDawg]

I have an Apple Watch Ultra and it kicks all of the arse. I had a regular Apple Watch years ago and hated it. The ultra battery life is about 3 days.

I thought about getting an Ultra, but it costs over twice the price of a regular one, and I don't do a lot of deep diving or rock climbing, so don't need it.

 

[RocketDawg]

Mine Apple Watch is an Ultra. Can your six do this?View attachment 806289

I don't think so. I think that "feature" comes with later models.

 

[Xenomorph]

Mine Apple Watch is an Ultra. Can your six do this?View attachment 806289

Absolutely!

 

[RocketDawg]

If you count up the money you have sent to cupertino over the last 10 years, it is most likely 75% more than you should have. Not that it matters...

Also of note, support ends this year on your Apple Watch Gen 6 in Sept 2025.

You're right about the $$. I have a MacBook Pro, an iMac, an older white Mac laptop, an old iPad, my wife has an Apple Watch, and we both have iPhones. Maybe even some other stuff.

I guess I'll have to toss this one when it breaks again, after September.

 

[KentuckyDawg13]

You’re a green text guy aren’t you?

Sounds like an Apple user's description of a superior operating system (Android)...so yes.
It's great not being on Apple group texts.

 

[aTotal360]

Reminder: Brett Favre wears Timex.

 

[Felonious Junk]

Sounds like an Apple user's description of a superior operating system (Android)...so yes.
It's great not being on Apple group texts.

 

[BluffParkDawg]

Running an S5 Apple Watch myself. Only notifications I get on it are text and calls - no emails or anything like that. That seems to help battery life. Max capacity is at 72%, but I can regularly go 24 hours before needing a charge. For instance, charge during morning shower to full capacity, wear it all day and usually overnight for some basic sleep tracking. Maybe record a excercise activity once every other day (outside walk/run, etc). Will probably upgrade this summer only because this one won't support latest WatchOS.

 

[onewoof]

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra

• Cost: $399 (12% margin)
• Battery life: 80 hours
• GPS: dual band GPS, supports 6 satellite positioning systems
• Compatibility: Any iPhone, any Android
• Watch bands: $12

Apple Watch Ultra 2

• Cost: $799 (Apple brand tax means 40% profit margin for Apple, should cost $450)
• Battery life: 36 hours
• GPS: dual band GPS, supports 5 satellite positioning systems
• Compatibility: iPhone XS and newer only
• Watch bands: $99 and up

 

[RivaDawg]

Have had an Apple Watch a little over 2 years. Would not buy again. Battery life sucks; have to charge every day. Exercise tracking is meh.

When I used to exercise regularly, I had a Garmin. Don’t remember the model, but if I can exercise again after health issues, I will buy another Garmin.

 

[Faustdog]

Running an S5 Apple Watch myself. Only notifications I get on it are text and calls - no emails or anything like that. That seems to help battery life. Max capacity is at 72%, but I can regularly go 24 hours before needing a charge. For instance, charge during morning shower to full capacity, wear it all day and usually overnight for some basic sleep tracking. Maybe record a excercise activity once every other day (outside walk/run, etc). Will probably upgrade this summer only because this one won't support latest WatchOS.

Apple will replace the battery for $75 I believe when capacity goes below 80%. I'm about to do that on my 6. I haven't really seen anything on the newer models that makes me want to upgrade.

 

[paindonthurt]

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra

• Cost: $399 (12% margin)
• Battery life: 80 hours
• GPS: dual band GPS, supports 6 satellite positioning systems
• Compatibility: Any iPhone, any Android
• Watch bands: $12

Apple Watch Ultra 2

• Cost: $799 (Apple brand tax means 40% profit margin for Apple, should cost $450)
• Battery life: 36 hours
• GPS: dual band GPS, supports 5 satellite positioning systems
• Compatibility: iPhone XS and newer only
• Watch bands: $99 and up

Does the t-Rex track steps, sleep, calories, etc?

 

[johnson86-1]

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra

• Cost: $399 (12% margin)
• Battery life: 80 hours
• GPS: dual band GPS, supports 6 satellite positioning systems
• Compatibility: Any iPhone, any Android
• Watch bands: $12

Apple Watch Ultra 2

• Cost: $799 (Apple brand tax means 40% profit margin for Apple, should cost $450)
• Battery life: 36 hours
• GPS: dual band GPS, supports 5 satellite positioning systems
• Compatibility: iPhone XS and newer only
• Watch bands: $99 and up

That sounds good, but I think I paid $160 for my apple watch by not getting the newest version. Batter life is the only complaint, but it lasts all day. Be nice if it lasted a few days so I could wear it at night more consistently. I really just want it for two reasons. Mainly the health stuff so I'm sure there are better options out there. I also like ot use it to control the stereo on my boat. Phone hooks up to stereo, I can be in the water without my phone and still at least skip songs and change the volume. That's using Amazon music, not Apple music.

Would love for somebody to tell me what I should be using instead of an apple watch.

 

[mstateglfr]

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra

• Cost: $399 (12% margin)
• Battery life: 80 hours
• GPS: dual band GPS, supports 6 satellite positioning systems
• Compatibility: Any iPhone, any Android
• Watch bands: $12

Apple Watch Ultra 2

• Cost: $799 (Apple brand tax means 40% profit margin for Apple, should cost $450)
• Battery life: 36 hours
• GPS: dual band GPS, supports 5 satellite positioning systems
• Compatibility: iPhone XS and newer only
• Watch bands: $99 and up

Never heard of Amazfit T-Rex Ultra until just now.

- how do you know what the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra margin is?
- how do you know what the Apple Watch Ultra 2 margin is?
- 10 seconds of googling shows Apple Watch Ultra 2 bands cost as little as $2.50. $2.50, $5, $10, $50, etc.




This looks like something I could pull off and wear if I were a retired Navy Seal.

 

[FrontRangeDawg]

For exercise/health tracking, I've been using a WHOOP for five years and I like it a lot. I wanted something separate since I like wearing my watch. I'd recommend trying it if you like the health tracking. They regularly update it with interesting stuff while keeping the base functions intact.

 

[Ranchdawg]

You're right about the $$. I have a MacBook Pro, an iMac, an older white Mac laptop, an old iPad, my wife has an Apple Watch, and we both have iPhones. Maybe even some other stuff.

I guess I'll have to toss this one when it breaks again, after September.

Do you drive a Honda car too?

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

I'm an apple watch person now but was a Garmin man for many years. What I didn't like about the Garmin is I'd have to connect to a satellite before a run for GSP tracking (often took 30 seconds or so). No need for any of that with an Apple Watch it's always tracking. Is that still an issue with Garmin?

 

[aTotal360]

You dorks need to get with the times.

 

[BluffParkDawg]

Apple will replace the battery for $75 I believe when capacity goes below 80%. I'm about to do that on my 6. I haven't really seen anything on the newer models that makes me want to upgrade.

If my S5 would support the newer WatchOS version, I would probably stay on it longer. S6 is the last model that supports WatchOS 11.